Re: Aregbesola’s strange holiday in Osun

The editorial smacked of deliberate hypocrisy designed to paint him as a religious bigot whose main aim is to promote Islam using the apparatus of office. This apparently is not the first time a section of the media had unsuccessfully attempted to do so to satisfy the whims and caprices of their sponsors. If one […]

The editorial smacked of deliberate hypocrisy designed to paint him as a religious bigot whose main aim is to promote Islam using the apparatus of office. This apparently is not the first time a section of the media had unsuccessfully attempted to do so to satisfy the whims and caprices of their sponsors.

If one may ask, where was this particular newspaper when ex- President Olusegun Obasanjo declared May 29th a public holiday for the celebration of his second ascension into power in 1999?

This newspaper was also in circulation when the South West states declared every June 12 as their Democracy Day and went as far as declaring the day as public holiday without anybody raising an eyebrow.

When these were done, neither Obasanjo nor the South West governors were accused of promoting personal or regional politics.

In the past, other states of the federation have declared public holidays within their territories which have suited their socio-cultural structure. There has not been protest from anywhere. So let Aregbesola and the Osun state government be.

When in 1972, General Yakubu Gowon declared Saturday a work free day for Nigerians in sympathy to the demands of the adherents of the Seventh Day Adventist genre of Christianity, Heaven has not fallen since then.

Between 1861 and 1960, the Christian colonial masters only recognised the Christian holidays while the Muslims who are the majority did not enjoy any specific pubic holiday until the coming of the Late Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as Prime Minister, there was no protest.

This parochial editorial certainly does not serve the interest of the Osun people, who know and acknowledge the fact that Aregbesola, despite being a devout Muslim, has not discriminated against any religion or adherent of other religions.

Aregbesola’s closest aides and associates today are Christians. A simple scrutiny of his cabinet and political appointees will show who Aregbeshola was; a leader that doesn’t discriminate against people of other religion.

It is important to point it out that during the last Christmas and Easter celebrations in Osun State, people of the state witnessed beautification of roundabouts and popular roads in the state capital to mark the celebrations for Christians; a fact the writer(s) will not want people to remember. I am sure if there had not been a holiday for these periods, Aregbeshola would have gladly granted one.

The governor also provided free train services the during the last Christmas, New Year and Easter celebrations. The Christian yuletide was celebrated with fireworks and glittering light courtesy of the state government, something that has never happened in the history of the state.

One is baffled that the Hijrah holiday declared by Governor Aregbeshola could be condemned by anybody whereas the Christians in the state did not raise an eyebrow. So, one is tempted to ask: why is this particular newspaper condemning a legal action?

Sheikh Najimudeen Binuyo, a former Manager of Programmes, North Africa and Overseas Service, Voice of Nigeria (VON) and ex-National Missioner, Muslim Association of Nigeria, wrote from Lagos.